Yale vs. San Diego State: NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks (Sunday)
On Selection Sunday, the East Region was considered by many as the most difficult. It was the prize that defending champion UConn was rewarded with after a phenomenal regular season. Four teams, including the Huskies, will fight on Sunday for two of the spots in Boston. Here's a closer look at those matchups: Yale vs. San Diego State.
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NCAA Tournament: East Region Sunday Game Previews
(Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook)
13 Yale vs 5 San Diego State
Yale upset the SEC stalwart Auburn Tigers in the First Round behind a 45.0% shooting display from deep and a 21 of 31 free throw performance. The Bulldogs aren't typically a team that reaches the charity stripe often, 312th in free throw attempt rate, but Auburn couldn't help themselves as one of the most foul happy teams in the country. In order to avoid the clock striking midnight on this Cinderella, they'll need to dance with the reigning runners-up.
San Diego State survived a late onslaught from UAB to avoid the dreaded 5-12 upset. The Aztecs' defense was center stage as they held the Blazers to 37.7% shooting from the floor. However they couldn't keep them off the free throw line where UAB shot 18 of 24. If they can clean up the fouls they'll give themselves a good chance to advance to another Sweet 16, but it's an issue that has plagued them all year with a 33.6% free throw attempt rate.
When Yale has the ball the pace will be glacial, 335th in average possession length. The Bulldogs are a good, not great shooting team and they don't turn the ball over. They don't seek out contact on offense so if San Diego State can reign in their aggressive defense, Yale will need to rely on hot shooting to get points. On the other side of the court, Yale is susceptible to good three-point shooting teams. That isn't San Diego State. Unless the Aztecs can have an outlier shooting game from deep they'll too find it difficult to sustain scoring. This will be a hard fought game between two strong teams that could divulge into a first to 60 rock fight.
Pick: Total Under 128.5 (-110)